Hawthorn berry, cardiovascular health keeper

Hawthorn berry, cardiovascular health keeper

              --- Yan Jun Xu MD (China) and PhD, Winnipeg, Canada

Hawthorn, a crataegus species, is a hardy plant which can be grown in rough weather conditions. Its berry has been used for medical purpose for almost 2000 years. In ancient China, hawthorn was used for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis,  insomnia,  fat food caused digestive problem and obesity.  In Europe, hawthorn has been used widely for reducing blood lipids to normal range.  Recent studies demonstrated that hawthorn contains high concentration of vitamin C and flavonoids. Some basic and clinical researchers have demonstrated that the extracts of hawthorn may have blood pressure reductive effect. Thus hawthorn has been used alternatively  for heart failure and hypertension (1). 

Several reports demonstrated that  hawthorn reduces plasma  concentration of low density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides   and anti-oxidative stress. Thus hawthorn products have potential for the prevention and treatment of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis (1).
 
Platelet function plays critical role for the pathogenesis of thrombosis, heart attack, stroke and atherosclerosis (2). Hawthorn has inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation. This may be one of the mechanisms for its cardiovascular protective effect.

Hawthorn products include berry (25 gram/day for cholesterol lowing effect), tea made from leaves
and flowers and extracts.

Since hawthorn is acetic, it may make stomach ulcer worse. Due to its platelet inhibitory effect, the dose of blood thinner drug should be adjusted based on testing result. Other common adverse effects include vertigo and dizziness (3).

References

1.  MC Tassell, R Kingston,  D Gilroy,
     M Lehane and A Furey. Hawthorn
     (Crataegus spp.) in the treatment
     of cardiovascular disease. Pharmacogn Rev. 2010; 4: 32-41.

2. TA Duhamel, YJ Xu, AS,
     Arnejia and NS Dhalla. Targeting platelets for prevention and treatment of
     cardiovascular disease. Expert Opin
     Ther Targets. 2007; 11: 1523-1533.

3. S Dahmer. Health effects of
     hawthorn. Am Fam Physician. 2010;
     81: 465-468.